Thursday, September 29, 2011

The 30 Minute Pillow

Have you ever sewn an invisible zipper? I haven't. They intimidate me. So for Madeline's throw pillows, I opted for the zipper-less envelope pillow. They take no more than thirty minutes from start to finish. (Posts on her dresser, curtains and duvet cover here, here and here).

To get started, cut your front piece of fabric the same size as your pillow insert - this makes the pillow fluffy and tight. Next, divide the size of the insert by 2, make two separate pieces at this half size, and add 2 inches for an overlap and 2 inches for a seam allowance (4 inches extra on each back piece). Hem both pieces. Lay them over your front fabric right sides together and sew 1/2" seam.

Cut the corners, turn right side out and insert your pillow. Quite simple.

The whole process of decorating Madeline's room started a few weeks ago when I sold her old bed on Craigslist for $200, which I then used as my budget for decorating the room. It's coming along quite nicely, however, I'm going to have to get creative in decorating the walls because there's only $12 left in the "Madeline's room fund".

You did a great job with the pillows and your fabric choices are perfect; you have such a great eye for color in all your projects, sewing and painting alike. I recently made my first pillow and was able to tackle the zipper issue because I found a great tutorial that I believe may show an unorthodox tip for zippers that makes it sew easy ... its posted on my blog under "Pillows Made By Me".

her room is absolutely beautiful. I can't wait to see what you do with the last $12. I have had great luck finding great frames at the DI. I've also been seeing a lot of the cute pictures all over the lovely world of pinterest!

What a cute pillow! I used to be scared of the invisible sipper, but now it is all I use when sewing the girls dresses. You tube has the best videos to make it easy. I have been looking for jenny-lind beds for my girls room, the ones they have now are bunk beds broken down and they take up so much space. Where did you get yours? All the ones I'm finding are so expensive.